Simulation of fluidized bed reactor for producing synthesis gas by catalytic CH4–CO2 reforming

Abstract

Catalytic CH4–CO2 reforming combines methane and CO2 to produce synthesis gas. In the present paper, dry reforming of methane has been simulated in a fluidized bed reactor using a modified comprehensive reactor model. The model has been employed to study the effect of various operating parameters like CO2/CH4 feed ratio, gas hourly space velocity (GHSV), pressure (P) and catalyst loading (w) on CH4 conversion (XCH4), CO+H2 productivity and CO/H2 molar ratio in product. Simulation results were compared with experimental data reported in the literature (Chem. Eng. Sci. 2000, 55, 3955–3966). At the optimum condition (CO2/CH4 molar ratio=1.5, temperature=1073K, GHSV=1100h−1, pressure=0.1MPa and catalyst loading (w)=120g), values of XCH4, CO+H2 productivity and CO/H2 molar ratio in product were found to be 97.64%, 2.41 and 1.26, respectively.